| Family: |
Plotosidae (Eeltail catfishes) |
| Max. size: |
32.5 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range 0 - 5 m |
| Distribution: |
Indo-West Pacific: northern Australia. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 1-1; Dorsal soft rays (total): 115-130; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 87-102. Differs from Paraplotosus albilabris and P. muelleri in having a tall, sail-like first dorsal fin and extremely long nasal barbels, which extend posteriorly to the basal third of the pectoral fin or beyond (Ref. 31103). Small juveniles have a unique coloration consisting of a black head and body with a broad white to yellow margin on the first dorsal fin and continuous dorsal-caudal-anal fin (Ref. 31103). Adults entirely black (Ref. 31103). |
| Biology: |
Restricted to coastal reefs (Ref. 31103). Secretive, found in reef holes or under large rocks (Ref. 31103). Presumably nocturnal (Ref. 31103). Feeds on gastropod mollusks and crustaceans (Ref. 31103). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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